Tag: ﻿Dog Walk Agility in Upper North Haven

If you don’t have the time to get out with your dog and enjoy walks in Upper North Haven, don’t let your dog miss out! There are plenty of professional dog walking services in most communities which offer semi regular or regular dog walking. If your dog must be left alone for 8 or more hours per day, consider using a dog walking service, and/or enrolling them in a doggie daycare at least twice a week. Not only will your dog will appreciate the social interaction with humans and dog playmates; it breaks the monotony of their day, and gives them something to look forward to.

Why is walking a dog so important?

Socializing your canine companion with a dog walker and other canines is very important and should be started as young as possible. By being away from it’s home, a dog will learn social skills and manners around other people and dogs. In doing so, it can help prevent certain aggression problems later on.

Regular and daily dog walks, even if the follow a predictable path, will enliven your dog!

Dogs that do not get a change in the environment frequently enough can become depressed. A depressed dog can develop anxiety which can lead to behavior problems. Believe it or not, regular and daily dog walks, even if the follow a predictable path, will enliven your dog! It will be using all of it’s senses to its fullest ability thus exercising its mind as well as its muscles.

All dogs need exercise every day, even the smallest breeds need to have a daily workout of their little legs. The larger a dog is, generally the more exercise it will need. There are working breeds, however, that are deceptively small but needs loads of exercise. A qualified dog walker can properly assess the amount of exercise required by your dog or puppy.

Dogs - The Joy of Pet Sitters.

Dog walking can be a tremendous stress reliever and bring immense happiness when dog and owner are at one. However some people dread dog walking as it can be a nightmare from start to finish, if your dog pulls and is trying to run away. This is why it's vitally important to train your dog and ensure that you and your dog have a walk you'll both enjoy.

Pulling on the lead

This sounds pretty simple but a lot of dogs if not trained properly can turn dog walking into a very tedious task for the owner as the majority of the time is spent being dragged along by their dog and their arm being wrenched out of its socket.

A simple tip for this is to start as soon as you leave the house by showing your dog who is in charge of the walk and who is walking who. He needs to understand that you control the walk from the speed to where you go. It's important that you don't let him pull at the end of the lead. The end of the lead and the loop should go through your right hand so you've got complete control in case he breaks loose and your left hand you should hold firmly towards the bottom of the lead, about a foot from the dog's neck. This way you have complete control of how far away from you he is and he won't be able to stray too far ahead or lag behind. If he tries to wander or pull hold him firmly and when he does start to heel give the lead some slack so he knows he's doing it correctly.

Using commands

The most important command when dog walking is "heel". This should mean stay to my left side and heel obediently. Before you even start dog walking get your dog to sit, then when you begin to walk say heel in a firm voice and make your dog walk at your left side. If he tries to pull or run, stop him, make him sit and try again. Repeat this process until he starts to realise what the command means. You can also use treats to praise him when he is doing it correctly.

Use your voice

Remember to use your voice when you are dog walking, this is one of your most important tools. Your dog knows your voice and will know when you're happy or angry with him. Continue to praise him when he is doing well and use a harsh tone when he misbehaves on the walk. Voice commands work much better when dog walking than simply yanking at the lead, as he won't know what that means.

Finally always remember to pick up your dogs poop when out dog walking, it is only courteous to other people and there can be a big fine attached. Remember to always leave the house with spare poop bags and dispose in a dog bin which can always be found around dog friendly parks.

Tips on Hiring a Dog Walker!

If you'd like to hire a professional local dog walker you'll want to interview several candidates, just like you would for a daycare provider for your child. But if you've never interviewed a pet walker you may be unsure of what to ask. Here then is a list of questions you'll want to ask a local dog walker before allowing her to take your FiFi out without you.

1. How many pets do you walk at one time? It's more common in large cities for a professional walker to walk multiple dogs at one time whereas most pet walkers in smaller communities will often only walk one dog at a time. If Fido enjoys being with other canines, it might not matter but if Fido isn't socialized or doesn't walk particularly well on a leash, you may not want him to be walked with other dogs.

2. What experience do you have in this profession? If you have a bichon it may be possible for anyone to walk her. However, if you have a bull mastiff you need a person that knows how to control canines as they walk. This may be because your dog will just sit down when she's tired or because she likes to run after cats along the way.

3. What is a typical walk? You want to know how long the walk is as well as whether the dog is under the "walk" command at all times or if there is any "free time" during the walk for the dog to explore and sniff at his leisure. Also, if your dog is a runner, will the service provider run with him, or will he be left unsatisfied because of a slow-pace walk.

4. Do you take water on the walk? Depending on the temperature and the breed of dog, your dog might need a water break partway through the walk.

5. Speaking of weather, do you walk in all types of weather? If you live in rainy Seattle or cold Cleveland, you need a dependable walker who is accustomed to the local weather.

6. What is your favorite breed of dog and/or what kind of dog do you own? While your local dog walker may be willing to walk any dog, you may want someone who has a particular affinity for your dog's breed. They'll be more in tune with the breed's characteristics. For example, I own a bulldog and you can't physical make her do anything. She is too strong. But it is so easy to coax her to do something. That is a common trait in the bulldog breed.

7. Are you certified? Certification within the dog-walking industry is a new thing, so if your prospective walker is certified, consider them to be a leader in his/her field.

8. Do you have business insurance? Every business owner should have business insurance and a local dog walker is no exception.

9. Will you take my pet to the vet if something happens during the walk? Of course, you want the answer to this to be "yes" but don't wait until the need arises to ask the question. Ask it upfront.

If you like what you hear in terms of answers to these questions, then you'll want to set up a play date between your dog and the local dog walker. Watch how they interact. You want your dog to like her walker and you want the walker to genuinely like your dog.

Dog Walking Services - How to Pick a Dog Walker?

Note: urbanpet.life services the neighborhood of Upper North Haven and near by communities.

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Hi I’m Mandi B. owner and pack leader. I want to personally welcome you to my all dogs blog. My team and I are one of Calgary’s most trusted community based dog walkers, sitters & pet care service professionals. Should you have any dog walking, dog sitting or pet care service inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

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